REVEALED D,O FAGUNWA DID NOT DISAPPEARED INTO A RIVER:

Daniel Olorunfẹmi Fagunwa, MBE (1903 – 9 December 1963), popularly known as D. O. Fagunwa, was a Nigerian author who pioneered the Yoruba language novel. He was born in Oke-Igbo, Ondo state, Fagunwa studied at St. Luke's School, Oke-Igbo,in Ondo state and St. Andrew's College, Oyo, before becoming a teacher himself.

In 1938, entering a literary contest of the Nigerian education ministry, Fagunwa wrote his first novel ‘Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irunmale’ widely considered the first novel written in the Yoruba Language.

D. O Fagunwa died about 50 year ago in Bida while taking a walk by the bank of the river Niger. However, Mrs. Elizabeth Fagunwa, 81,wife of this eminent writer have this to say about the she loved so much:

She said, “I refused to remarry because my husband gave me all the love I needed. He was very caring and generous and humorous. He was a complete gentleman. He was a husband in a million. Besides, I already had children before he died – both sexes. Some men made advances to me, and that was natural. But it was left for me to make a decision.

“Also, I had my own work. I was a teacher in Ibadan and, later, a headmistress. So, with my job, and support from Fagunwa’s estate, I was able to finance the children without asking for any financial support from outside.”

She added that although Fagunwa did not leave a Will, his publishers had been considerably responsible.

Mrs. Fagunwa, however, clear the air on the circumstances that surrounded her husband death. She debunked the age-long rumour that he mysteriously disappeared into a river!!!

She said, “I am happy I am here today. It is good that we straighten the records when I am alive, when the children, too, are still alive.  I was with him in Ibadan, where we lived, when he travelled in November 1963 to northern Nigeria to publicise Henemann books, because he was a manager with the company.

“On his way back, on Saturday, December 12, 1963, he slept in Bida. His plan was to leave Bida early, so that he could get to Ibadan on time. He did not want to travel in the night.”

Mrs Fagunwa, said  that there was no bridge on the River Niger as at the time. Like every other person, he had to cross the river in a canoe. 

“So, my husband decided to while away the time. He alighted from the car. He left the manuscript of a book he was writing then – Ero Nla Olodumare – in the car. He had his chewing stick in his hand. He decided to walk by the bank of the river. Unfortunately, the ground gave way under his feet and he fell into the river. He was a great swimmer, but he sank because a canoe that was parked by the river also fell and collapsed on him.”

She added that no one saw him until the following Monday, his corpse was later taken to Oke –Igbo, Ondo State where he was buried 10 days after.

She said, “He was a Christian and the funeral programme was conducted at the St. Luke’s Church in Okeigbo. Till today, there is a church record to that effect, including the names of the officiating priests. So, Fagunwa was not a spirit, not a demon. I didn’t marry a spirit. I married a human being.”